Dear Y,

Yes you can take refuge in Buddhas that represent the element of wealth just like you can take refuge in Manjushri who is a Buddha of wisdom.

You can take refuge in Dzambala because he is a fully enlightened being. Vaishravana, according to our lineage is not the chief of all Dzambalas. The form that Dzambala takes is of a Yaksha. Some of Vaishravana’s attendants are also Yakshas.

Their are 5 main forms of Dzambala. The form of Dzambala practiced in Kechara is Yellow Dzambala. His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche has made this practice available to all. You can view it here and can engage in the practice without taking initiation: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#14.

There are two excellent teachings on the practice of Dzambala available on youtube.

The first which is by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuwKcE8SckU

The second which is by Pastor David Lai is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP_WyupGSTo

In regards to the Buddha Vasudhara, yes you can take refuge in her. She if often considered the consort to Dzambala. Vasudhara is actually one of the many deities that are included in the Gelug Refuge Tree, among the Kriya (Action) class of Tantric deities. Her mantra is: Om Basudhare Soha.

Both Dzambala and Vasudhara, although known as “wealth Buddhas” are not just simply for wealth. More important is that they assist us in generating spiritual (inner) wealth, which is the development of good virtue and spiritual qualities that assist us on the path towards full enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Dear Alex Powell,

Yes there are many deities within the Buddhist pantheon. Each Buddha deity has emanated in a specific form, and due to that form and our effort, each Buddha form has a specific quality that they are propitiated for. Such as Medicine Buddha is known for healing, Manjushri for developing wisdom, Chenresig for developing compassion, etc. This however is not to say that all Buddhas do not have these characteristics, simply that the main way in which they can help us tends to concentrate on one particular activity.

During the various transitional junctures of our lives we all need various forms of help and assistance. The pujas (prayers) to the various Buddha deities fulfills this function, calling upon their divine energies. Every single lineage in Buddhism, will focus on a certain set of teachings stemming from the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, therefore there is a difference in the forms and methods of practice. This leads to variation between lineages in regards to the deities practiced, and therefore it may seem like there is an overemphasis on certain deity practices than others between lineages. But in actual fact these practices are equally valid and beneficial.

However, the reason why the difference occurs is quite simple, you practice what you know how to practice, the way your were taught as the methods of practice have been proven to be beneficial in one’s spiritual journey.

When it comes to personal daily practice, the same applies. Different lineages will place emphasis on certain deity practices. Generally speaking most lineages place emphasis on a certain number of deities to practice everyday, depending on the needs of the individual. For example at Kechara we concentrate on the practice of

– Tsongkhapa: as the founder of our lineage and a being who attained complete enlightenment through the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and the lineage masters. Any Buddhist organisation that belongs to the Gelugpa lineage will have Tsongkhapa as one of their main practices.

– Vajrayogini: as a deity that belongs to the Highest Yoga Tanra. The practice is condensed compared to other practices of the same level, however includes all the essential points of tantra. For modern practitioners who are not able to spend their entire lives practicing the teachings, like the practitioners of the past, this practice is ideal.

– Dharma-Protectors Setrap and Dorje Shugden: enlightened beings who have emanated as Dharma-Protectors, to assist practitioners with both worldly and spiritual concerns to aid them in their practice of transforming their minds towards compassion and wisdom on their spiritual journey.

We begin with the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa and steadily progress further. I hope this answers your question. Please do ask more if my answer was unclear.

Dear David,

You can send an email to mail@tsemladrang.com, alternatively you could start by engaging in the practice of Trakze Dorje Shugden, which will help your situation.

The practice is explained here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html

There is also a teaching video by one of our Pastors available on Youtube, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiNx7DENlfw

His Eminence made this practice available to ensure people in your situation had a direct and immediate resource so that your situation can be alleviated. I hope this has helped.

Dear Danny,

I am unsure of the meaning of this. We do not practice this at Kechara since we are follow the Gelug lineage which is Vajrayana. May i kindly suggest finding a qualified Theravada teacher who can answer you. At Kechara we do not use the terminology of transferring merit but dedicating the merit for others. I belief however that the effect is the same, others can benefit from the merit you created.

Dear Harold M,

The form of Black Garuda H.E. Tsem Rinpoche taught is a Buddha form for those without Highest Yoga Tantra initiation, as you visualize in front of yourself. If you have Highest Yoga tantra initiation then you can consider it a yidam practice as you self-generate as the deity.

Dear T,

In Lama Tsongkhapa’s case since he was a monk he is wearing the three robes of a monk, in essence to remind us of one of his main practices which is moral conduct. In the case of tara, she appears in the form a Bodhisattva, and is typically portrayed as a 16 year old girl. He clothing style confirms to a certain part of ancient Indian culture, wear a woman would wear a long piece of cloth, similar to a shawl for an upper garment. As for Vajrayogini, she is completely naked due to the fact that her practice is a Highest Yoga Tantra. To summarize, she is represented this way to remind practitioners that her practice overcomes and transcends desire/attachment in all its forms, and all perceptions…leading to the realization of emptiness, which is free from all types of perceptions and ultimately full enlightenment.

There are many levels understanding when it comes to the iconography of the Buddhas. In fact if we understand the way they appear to us, it is actually a teachings showing us what we should practice, and how we should practice to progress along our spiritual path.

Dear Adam,

The sense of fulfillment gained from helping others is only the first part of the path, but it is useful at the beginning to help us understand that helping others is a good thing…later on we must even break away from this sense of fulfillment. In fact there is no sense of fulfillment when we gain enlightenment, at that point we are in complete bliss so there is no sense of fulfillment because we not think dualistically. But from that state our modus operandi is compassion.

That being said there is no way that being honestly selfish can bring us to enlightenment. People can convince themselves that being honestly selfish can bring them a sense of fulfillment. But this in itself can bring about a whole lot of problems in and of itself, human beings are after all social creatures. This person may gain a perceived sense of fulfillment in this life, however with the law of Karma and Karmic Results, they will have to pay for their selfishness in the future and future rebirths.

Vaishravana is one of the Four Heavenly Kings. Traditionally he does appear on the refuge tree but beneath the lotus of enlightened deities. In this specific case he is not portrayed as an enlightened being but a very high level worldy god and therefore is not taken refuge upon. May i ask why you would like to take refuge upon Vaishravana? Do you feel like you have a connection with Vaishravana?

Jason,

Yes Tsui Marpo/Kache Marpo is an emanation of Hayagriva, who is an emanation of Avalokiteshwara. You are also right that the His Holiness the Dalai Lama is also an emanation of Avalokiteshwara. It may seem to our limited perception that he is having a fight with himself. But we must remember one thing, that enlightened being’s modus operandi is compassion. We may not know the whole reason why this situation is occurring because we are not at a level of consciousness to understand or comprehend what is happening and the ultimate outcome of these actions.

Dear Jason,

I am unsure of the use of betel nuts in both these practices as I have not received them.

From a general level however in regards to the alcohol it is used sparingly to overcome clinging, and the view of tantra which is to overcome dualistic thinking of purity and impurity, through a tantric transformative process.

Dear Maurice Edwards Evans,

This section of the blog is answered by the Kechara Pastors and not by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche. Rinpoche has a whole host of recommended prayers which can be found here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html

Although none of them to Akasagarbha. If you would like specific help from Rinpoche regarding your situation, please contact Tsem Ladrang at mail@Tsemladrang.com

Dear Marcel,

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s introduction to the prayer states that the prayer can be recited with a good motivation in order create an affinity with Heruka and Vajrayogini. Doing this will create a connection with them so in the future you are able to learn the practices and gain high attainments, enter Kechara Paradise or even full enlightenment. In short, yes, you can recite this prayer daily, even without initiation if done with a good motivation.

Dear Harold M,

I have not received any teachings about Me Thar from His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, so unfortunately I do not know much about his practice. If H.E teaches about Me Thar, I will be sure to post back her with the answers. I’m sorry i couldn’t be of more help.

Dear Luke,

Within Buddhist cosmology everything that exists is made up of various elemental forces. In higher tantric practices these elemental forces can be utilized within ones body to achieve certain results, such as having to go without food for long periods of time so that you can concentrate more on meditation, sleeping less for the same reason and even achieving higher states of consciousness on the path towards enlightenment.

Logically if you are able to control the elemental forces within your body, with enough practice you can control the elemental forces outside of your body too as the elemental forces are the same. When this happens then these high lamas and practitioners are able to perform such feats as changing the weather.

If done with a virtuous motivation, ie not to harm but to benefit others, then there will be no unfortunate consequences of performing such an action. It is simply a direction of elemental energies but with a specific outcome in mind, such as clearing the rain so that the dharma can be taught which helps people transform their minds towards a more compassionate way of living or making rain in drought so that people have enough water to live and crops to grow.

I hope this helps.

Dear Gaynor,

Unfortunately I am unable to help with this matter as I do not know anyone in Tibet who is involved in the Sky Burial process.

Dear Samira Shrestha,

I am unable to give you an answer as you have not given me much information. If I have more information I can give you advice based on Dharma teachings, this can help you improve your relationship with your son. If you would really like help please provide more information about the situation.

Dear Neha Rai,

The best practice I can suggest for you is the practice is the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa together with the practice of Dorje Shugden. The benefits of this practice are many and would certainly help you in this situation. For you this will help tremendously with your studies and for your spiritual journey and well being.

You can read more about Lama Tsongkhapa here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/tsongkhapa.

You can learn how to do the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa by following His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s commentary here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html

We also have a box set that you can invite to begin your practice, available at any of our Kechara Paradise outlets in Malaysia, or if you live abroad you can order it from here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tsongkhapa-boxset-english

This practice will definitely help you if engaged in sincerely and with a good heart.

This can be coupled with the practice of Dorje Shugden, which not only removes obstacles in life but also grants great protection and safety.

If you are able, I suggest that you can invite either a Protection String (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/protector-string) or Ruel Pendant (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tibetan-ruel-pendant) or even both. Which can be worn by you and your husband for added protection. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.

Yes, the mantra is the same like Vaishravana.

Dear Pain,

I have read through your questions. I have a couple of suggestions for your situation:

1. You have sought spiritual help for your situation which is a good thing. However you should also try worldly professional help at the same time. Your situation can be either one or a combination of both. It is better to play safe and seek professional help as well as. In Buddhist practice we use many methods to solve our problems.

2. From what you have written your minds seems to run very quickly to new thoughts and ideas. If you engage in breathing mediation you will see that you mind can calm down. It is one of the benefits of breathing mediation. This will have a profound effect on your mind.

3. You have chosen to concentrate on the practice of Cundi. Please keep doing this practice strongly. As you have skipped between various practices, you probably did not gain many benefits from either of the practices. You should stick with one practice and go all the way with it. If you are willing, you should engage in the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga. This will help stabiles your mind, but you must engage in the practice strongly.

4. You can direct your request for a divination to mail@tsemladrang.com but please note that Tsem Rinpoche seldom performs divinations.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything more I can help you with.

Dear Natalie,

I am in no way qualified to judge the words of His Holiness Dalai Lama. However, just like H.E Tsem Rinpoche’s situation there are many High Lamas, Geshes, Monks/Nuns, and lay practitioners out there that are still practicing Dorje Shugden.

Yes, HH Dalai Lama is high incarnated lama within the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, but he is not the only highly incarnate lama or Guru of all Gelugpa’s and following the spiritual tradition of Guru Devotion, we follow the advice of our Guru. A lot of the high lamas actually claim that Dorje Shugden is actually an enlightened Dharma Protector. As per the spiritual path taught in Buddhism, we follow the advice of our Guru.